New Planet TOI-733b Discovered: Could This Be an Oceanic World?
The scientific community has made an exciting new discovery – a planet located 245 light-years away from Earth. Named TOI-733b, this planet is slightly smaller than twice the radius of Earth and has a unique feature, its atmosphere. However, experts have presented two possibilities regarding its atmosphere.
According to a study published in the specialized astronomy journal Astronomy & Astrophysics, TOI-733b has a density of 3.98 grams per cubic centimeter. This density is slightly lower than Earth’s density but higher than that of Mars, our neighboring planet.
One notable aspect mentioned in the study is that TOI-733b orbits a star slightly smaller than the Sun and completes its orbit in just 4.9 days. This close proximity to its star may explain why scientists believe it could have lost its atmosphere layer due to evaporation.
However, scientists also speculate that TOI-733b could be an oceanic planet. The density and other characteristics of this new planet resemble that of Neptune, albeit on a smaller scale. These types of planets are known to experience a shrinking process due to the loss of atmosphere.
The ongoing efforts to explore exoplanets and moons that may have oceans are driven by the possibility of finding extraterrestrial life. Scientists believe that water-bearing worlds like TOI-733b could potentially harbor life. Some notable examples include Proxima Centauri b, TRAPPIST-1e, f, and g, and Kepler-22b among exoplanets, and Europa, Enceladus, and Titan among moons within our solar system.
While the search for extraterrestrial life is exciting, it is crucial to approach exploration with conservation in mind. The introduction of Earth-originating microbes to these distant worlds could have severe implications for potential life forms and compromise scientific investigations. Hence, efforts to prevent biological contamination, known as planetary protection, are being prioritized.
Missions like NASA’s Europa Clipper and the European Space Agency’s Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (JUICE) are planned to offer more insights into these potential ocean worlds and refine our planetary protection measures.
The discovery of exoplanets and moons with potential oceans brings us closer to uncovering the mysteries of the cosmos and the existence of extraterrestrial life. As we continue to explore these fascinating worlds, it is crucial to prioritize their conservation to preserve their integrity for future generations. The cosmic ocean awaits us, promising a treasure trove of discoveries and potential encounters with life forms beyond our wildest imaginings.